Blog
By all indications, the economy is beginning a substantial recovery. While conditions are not as they were before the recession – and in all likelihood, they will not be for some time – small business owners in particular should take a look at how exactly conditions are improving.
The economic recovery: A brief overview
March 7th, 2011Business financing amid federal budget turmoil
March 4th, 2011With tax season approaching amid one of the worst budget crises in recent memory, businesses both small and large are left waiting to see how the actions of federal, state and local governments will impact their own finances.
What to do in a recovering economy
March 2nd, 2011In some ways, managing a business through an economic recovery is more difficult than when markets are plummeting, because at least in a downturn, it's clear what to do: cut spending.
A recovery, on the other hand, is less obvious, and because each recession is different, lessons from previous recessions don't necessarily apply to the current one.
What’s hurting business sales: the credit crunch or the sales crunch?
March 1st, 2011Since the recession began, the availability of credit to small businesses has reflected conditions in the business sales market, dipping consistently through 2008 and 2009 and only recently beginning to improve.
Conduct credit checks when extending credit to customers
February 24th, 2011This week, Treasury Department Secretary Timothy Geithner told an audience of reporters that banks and creditors are now much more equipped to finance the capital needs of a recovering economy, suggesting recent improvements in lending and capital access will allow new startups and entrepreneurial ventures to come to fruition.
California clean energy sector looks to business sales market
February 23rd, 2011Although the California business sales market fell by 6.6 percent in 2010 over the year before, the state's burgeoning clean energy sector may boost acquisition activity in coming years, as a trend of green energy consolidation has begun to emerge throughout the Golden State.
Financing your business around taxes
February 22nd, 2011Private companies are sitting on more than $1.9 trillion in cash, accounting for 7.4 percent of total business assets – the highest rate in more than 50 years, according to data released by the Federal Reserve last September.
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Financing an ailing small business
February 21st, 2011It is interesting to note how the business sales market has paralleled that of the banking industry in recent years, with sales declining at similar rates as that of bank closings. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp closed 157 banks last year, up from 140 in 2009, while the number of completed business sales continued to fall through 2010.
As credit crunch ends, small businesses will need to separate personal and business assets
February 18th, 2011As the recession has forced an industry-wide credit crunch in recent years, many small businesses and entrepreneurs forming a business have been seeking out personal or bootstrap financing methods to fund their ventures. However, recent news suggests credit may become more available this year.
Budget considerations for 2011
February 17th, 2011As tax season approaches and small businesses begin taking a look at their budgets in anticipation for the coming year, it may be a good time to look at the 2011 outlook, as well as recent studies and economic indicators.
While the national unemployment rate has fallen in recent months – dropping to 9 percent in January, compared to 9.